Fairy Tales With a Twist!

If read-aloud time is getting a bit dull, consider checking out these “twists” on classic fairy tales. I especially love the one that take stories that are normally pretty girly and spice them up so that boys can enjoy them too. Perfect if you’re reading to a princess and a prince!

These stories have two narrators – one girl and one boy – and they work together to tell the stories. They each have some elements of fairy tales, and some elements that are just made up fun. My nieces think Queen Tenderheart is oh so beautiful and my sons think the Royal Superbaby is hysterical (they said dirty diapers!). Everybody wins!

You’re probably heard of these classics of the messed-up fairy tale genre (Is that a thing? I guess it is now). Will your child believe the wolf’s tale of woe? What will happen to the Stinky Cheese Man, Jack the narrator, and Henny Penny (who may or may not be squished by the table of contents).

In this retelling, the mother of the three little aliens sends them out into space with a warning to stick together and watch out for the big bad robot. As the pass the planets in our solar system, the aliens separate as they find homes that interest them. When the big bad robot attacks (with funny rhymes to replace the “I’ll blow your house down”), can the little aliens survive?

Mother knows best when her three billy goats are threatened by the big bad troll who lives under the bridge. Why is that troll so grumpy anyway? Turns out he has sleep deprivation. Now that’s something all parents can relate to!

I know, I know, this isn’t a fairy tale. I just included it on my list because it takes a topic that is one that girls may be more naturally drawn to, but then tells the story in a way that boys find entertaining too. Really, a ballerina with enormous feet is pretty funny to anyone.